The FDA - the union for senior managers and professionals in public service - has today welcomed the Government's announcement of the creation of the new Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office (RCPO). This is a separate and independent prosecuting authority dealing with Revenue and Customs prosecutions work, whose formation is in line with the integration of Revenue and Customs into a single new department.

FDA head of operations Dave Penman said that the announcement paved the way for the Inland Revenue Crime Group to join with Customs prosecutors to form a separate prosecuting authority.

"We welcome the announcement by the Attorney General Lord Goldsmith, following the report by Mr Justice Butterfield earlier in the year. We want to make sure the unions are fully involved, and can work with the new authority's management in determining terms and conditions of service for our members."

Notes for Editors1. The FDA is the trade union and professional body representing the UK's 11,700 senior civil and public servants. Its members include policy advisors, senior managers, tax inspectors, economists, statisticians, accountants, special advisers, government lawyers, crown prosecutors and NHS managers. 2. For further information contact: